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with thanks to Margaret
Up too early, already working,
multiple Word docs open
and so many Chrome tabs
I can’t see their icons
when abruptly everything
I type is
CAPITALIZED.
I CAN’T FIND THE CAUSE.
IT’S NOT THE CAP LOCK BUTTON
OR JAMMED SHIFT KEY.
IT’S NOT A CAPS ONLY FONT
OR A SETTINGS CHANGE.
I laugh at how urgent
everything suddenly seems
when
each
letter
screams.
Save everything, close everything,
hit “restart” and while waiting, take
my bare feet out on the grass
where morning sky is beginning
to lift night’s curtain.
My breath deepens.
I bless the cars rushing by
and the world we’ve made out of hurry,
Wish we all might replace words
like BUSY with words like
meander mosey stroll dally
saunter amble linger dawdle.
When I go back to work
my newly rested desktop
has calmed, reminding me
how much we all need
to ease ourselves back
into our lower-case selves.
This poem first appeared in Poetry Breakfast.
Used here with permission.
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Laura Grace Weldon lives in an Ohio township too tiny for traffic lights, where she works as a book editor, teaches writing workshops, and serves as editor of Braided Way magazine. and chronically maxes out her library card. Author of four books, Laura was named Ohio's 2019 Poet of the Year. Learn more about her at https://lauragraceweldon.com/.
   
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EstherJ:
This is so timely for me. Stop for a little and remember the "good stuff" in the "here and now."
Posted 02/29/2024 09:06 AM
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Alarie Tennille:
Oops, typo. Should be "I'd be tempted to POST that reminder.
Posted 02/28/2024 05:17 PM
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Alarie Tennille:
Love the last line! And I can certainly identify with the computer zerkies. I'd be tempted to put that reminder to ease back into my lower-case self except that I never can find half the things I save. ;-D
Posted 02/28/2024 05:14 PM
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RonPoems:
I love the craft in stanzas 2&3.
Posted 02/28/2024 01:07 PM
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NormaB:
Another vote for the absolute perfection of lower case selves.
Posted 02/27/2024 04:19 PM
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Judy:
Yes, I agree with Wilda--excellent poem!
Posted 02/27/2024 02:05 PM
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Wilda Morris:
Our "lower case selves." Excellent poem!
Posted 02/27/2024 01:04 PM
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CamilleBalla:
I love the way you show us both before and after your pause your choice to take bare feet on the grass, bless the cars rushing by. Great metaphor,, example; so well crafted.
Posted 02/27/2024 12:41 PM
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Lori Levy:
Love the slowing down words and "our lower-case selves."
Posted 02/27/2024 12:30 PM
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Arlene Gay Levine:
Chock full of humor and a delicious dose of excellent advice all in six entertaining stanzas. Loved it!
Posted 02/27/2024 11:55 AM
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Glen Sorestad:
A very cleverly constructed poem, Laura, with surprise leading to surprise.
Posted 02/27/2024 11:51 AM
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Jancan:
Excellent advice delivered in expressive
symbolism and metaphors. I especially like "lower-case selves."
Posted 02/27/2024 10:33 AM
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MLove:
I love the way this poem moves from short, choppy phrases to longer, well-crafted sentences and ends so well. Thank you!
Posted 02/27/2024 09:50 AM
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Angela Hoffman:
Yes, my breath slowed reading this. I can relate.
Posted 02/27/2024 09:22 AM
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HazelGrammie:
Love!
Posted 02/27/2024 09:03 AM
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Larry Schug:
Very skillful in the way the poem changes from inside to out. AND iT's aLL so TRue.
Posted 02/27/2024 07:46 AM
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mail@schoolbusmart.com:
YOURE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT !!!! IM GOING OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW !!!! THANKS. RANDY MAZIE
Posted 02/27/2024 07:17 AM
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Jonesy:
lovely! That is so close to home! I love these words, especially "Mosey". Well done.
Posted 02/27/2024 05:05 AM
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